Chapter 20

twenty

A NIGHT SPENT thinking of Edith hadn’t brought any counsel to Perry.

Years ago, when he’d been a scoundrel, he wouldn’t have thought for more than a second about a kiss with a willing, beautiful lady. But since the incident—or rather, since spending years in a clinic for his rehabilitation, showing respect to others had become an absolute, constant necessity.

Besides, Edith wasn’t a woman he barely knew. She was special. She captured his attention whatever she did, and he cared for her too much to choose to have a quick tumble with her.

The fact she was a few feet from him right now didn’t make his situation easier. A new headache bothered him that day, thus he’d asked her to write the bank cheques for the bills he had to pay. He’d write his signature at the bottom of them, but at least he didn’t have to read long records of numbers and copy them in very small characters.

“That’s the tailor.” She handed him the next cheque. “It’s ten pounds only.”

“A new waistcoat, but not for me. It was for Oliver.” He signed the slip of paper and set it aside.

“A silk bow tie.”

He signed the next. “Oliver again.”

“The last one. Grocery. Five pounds.”

“Thank you, Edith.” His hand hurt from all the writing.

“You don’t spend a lot.” She opened another register. “Dr. York spends more than you.”

“I’m trying to be frugal on principle. A gentleman doesn’t spend ostentatiously, according to the Gentlemen’s Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness . Have more than you show, speak less than you know.”

She stretched out her arms over her head. The movement pushed forwards her breasts, straining the fabric of her shirt. Surely, a gentleman shouldn’t notice that; it had to be written somewhere in the manual.

“You’re taking being a gentleman very seriously,” she said.

“In my youth, I never did, but I now see the point.” He set aside the pen. “After the incident, I was surrounded by compassionate people who did nothing but support me. So many people were kind to me, and not because I was the brother of an earl. They felt sorry for me and wanted to help me. Believe it or not, that changed me. Your family, you, my brother, Oliver, and the nurses and medics in Geneva helped me get better. Being at the receiving end of love and compassion is a wonderful feeling, and I want to return the favour.”

She touched his hand. “You’re a good man, Perry.”

Not really. A good man wouldn’t want to grab her by the waist, sit her on the desk, and kiss her until she moaned again.

Their heated second kiss had been a mistake because he was under a spell now. And he wanted to bloody court her.

“Thank you, Edith. I try to be a good man.”

“About that.” She frowned. “I’d like to ask you a favour.”

“Anything.”

“I met a woman at St. Brigid Hospital, Mrs. Richards. She fell off a ladder and hit her head hard. After that, she was in a state of prolonged loss of consciousness for weeks, and now she has problems moving and talking properly.”

“Disturbingly familiar.” He smiled.

“She was discharged from the hospital a few days ago, but she needs help. She isn’t wealthy, and her husband is struggling.” She put her hand over his. “Would you help her? You understand better than anyone how important medical support is in a situation like that.”

“Edith.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Of course, I’ll help Mrs. Richards.”

“You’re wonderful.” She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He held her, smiling at her enthusiasm. Her willingness to help others was undeniable. If only she would resume her studies.

She kissed his cheek. The difference between this chaste kiss and the one they’d shared in the parlour was so vast there shouldn’t be any comparison between the two. But his heart didn’t seem to agree. Both kisses caused it to thud faster.

“Thank you, Perry, for caring about her,” she said.

“I care about everything that makes you happy.”

He must have said something shocking because her eyes widened and her lips parted. But he had something even more shocking set aside for her.

He was about to tell her that he wanted to court her properly when his very agitated butler opened the door.

“My lord, Lord Neville is here and wishes to see you.” Mason patted his forehead with a handkerchief. “I’m afraid your uncle seems quite insistent, my lord.”

“Show him in, Mason, thank you.”

Mason had barely time to bow before Uncle Neville strode inside. His gaze flickered over Edith for a glacial moment. She stiffened.

Uncle Neville straightened his fine jacket. “Perry, Edith.”

“Miss Winkworth.” Perry stood up. “You will address Miss Winkworth appropriately when in my presence, or you may leave now.”

Edith trapped her bottom lip between her teeth.

A muscle in Uncle Neville’s face twitched. “I’m very well acquainted with Edith .”

More than Perry would like.

He clasped his hands behind his back. “If you refuse to be civil with my guest, I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to leave without allowing you to tell me why you came here in the first place.”

“Very well. I won’t address her at all.” Uncle Neville produced a folded letter from the inner pocket of his jacket. “I’d like to discuss your late letter with you.”

Edith rose. “I’ll leave you.”

He was about to tell her to stay, but perhaps she was uncomfortable in Uncle Neville’s presence. “Thank you, Miss Winkworth.”

She gave him a little smile before walking out.

Uncle Neville turned his head to stare at her in a fashion not at all gentlemanly.

“Uncle,” he said, frustration burning the back of his mouth.

“What is she doing here?” Uncle Neville jabbed a finger in the direction of the door.

“Reach your point. I don’t have much time.” Perry sat on his chair, but his uncle remained standing.

“We agreed about you renouncing the title. And then you send me this?” He waved the letter.

“I’ve had a change of heart and realised how cowardly it was of me not to face my duty. That’s all. Albert and my solicitor support my choice. It’s nothing personal.” Actually, it was.

Uncle Neville placed his hands on the desk. “I beg to differ. You shouldn’t be the earl. Your health is too delicate.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m well. I’ve fully recovered from the incident.”

Uncle Neville arched a sceptical brow. “I heard rumours about you.”

“Oh, I heard rumours about you, too. I can tell you exactly what I heard.” Perry held his uncle’s stare.

“I’m incredibly curious.” His uncle put aside a pile of documents to lean closer. “What did you hear?”

“Leave Miss Winkworth alone.”

He tapped the letter. “Renounce your title, and I’ll oblige.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Uncle Neville pocketed the letter again. “Then I’ll do what I want with Miss Winkworth, and the outcome will be your doing.” He stressed the last two words.

Over his dead body. “You don’t deserve the title. You put the Ravenscroft name to shame.”

“We’ll see who is the one shaming the Ravenscroft name, Nephew. You and Miss Winkworth will hear from my solicitor.”

Perry clenched his jaw when his uncle left. His uncle’s threats didn’t worry him; the law was on his side regarding the title, but Edith was another matter.